It’ll be hard to beat Tuesday’s games in the drama stakes. Two dramatic finishes and more controversy from Luis Suarez meant that Groups C and D finished in exciting style. On to Wednesday’s games and hopefully we will see even more drama and excitement. Today sees Groups E and F come to an end and, yet again, there is plenty to play for.
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Iran
Bosnia have been one of the big disappointments in this tournament. They were impressive in qualification, but seem to have frozen in their first finals appearance. Iran still have a slim chance of making the last 16, but they will need to beat Bosnia and hope Argentina beat Nigeria convincingly.
I suspect a pressure-free Bosnia will be able to play the kind of football we are accustomed to seeing from them. They had chances against Nigeria, but fluffed their lines when it mattered. I fancy them at 11/10 with BetFred, Totesport and Coral or 21/20 with Bovada. Edin Dzeko has had a poor tournament so far and I’d expect him to be dropped for Vedad Ibisevic in the final game. Ibisevic is 13/2 with Bet Victor and Paddy Power. You can get him at 9/2 with Bovada.
Top Bet: Ibisevic to score first at 13/2 with Paddy Power or 9/2 with Bovada
Nigeria v Argentina
Argentina have qualified for the last 16 without ever being really impressive. Lionel Messi has been their saviour in both games and you have to wonder how they would have fared without the little genius. Normally you would expect an already qualified team to rest their star player, but as we know Messi hates being rested. He is 10/3 to score 2 or more goals with Bet365 or 9/4 with Bovada. I can’t see Nigeria taking anything from this game if Messi is playing, but the Argentina defence hasn’t looked watertight and I would suggest getting on Argentina and Both Teams to Score at 5/2 with Stan James and William Hill. You can get this at 12/5 on Bovada.
Top Bet: Messi to score 2 or more goals at 10/3 with Bet365 or 9/4 with Bovada.
Ecuador v France
France are pretty much home and hosed in Group E. They will finish top barring a 6-0 win for Ecuador which, let’s face it, isn’t going to happen. Their opponents today have much to play for though. It is between them and Switzerland to see who finishes second and gain qualification. It’s a big ask for them to get the win they need. They won against Honduras, but lost 2-1 to Switzerland who were subsequently thrashed 5-2 by France. France are 11/5 with Coral and Bovada to win to zero (a win without Ecuador scoring a goal). France to win at half time/full time is 7/4 with SkyBet or 15/8 with Bovada.
Top Bet: France to win to zero at 11/5 Coral and Bovada.
Honduras v Switzerland
Switzerland will be smarting after their humiliating defeat at the hands of France and will be itching to make amends by beating Honduras and qualifying for the last 16. Honduras are a physical side, but haven’t shown much else in the tournament. Switzerland also have shown something of an edge in their play and I think this makes the 7/2 on offer from William Hill for there to be a sending off in the game very tempting. You can get 13/4 from Bovada for the same bet. Bayern Munich’s Xherdan Shaqiri hasn’t lived up to his pre-tournament billing so far, but he is a mercurial player and he is 12/5 with StanJames or 9/4 with Bovada to score at any time.
Top Bet: A sending off in the game at 7/2 with William Hill or 13/4 with Bovada.
